It's every corporate sponsor's nightmare: A Hollywood star tarnishes the brand in a speech at an event underwritten by the sponsor. At the Film Independent Spirit Awards, actor Paul Thomas Anderson ripped American Airlines while accepting an honor from the podium. American Airlines is a Spirit Awards sponsor. "Don't fly American Airlines, man," Anderson said while accepting … [Read more...] about Sponsor’s Nightmare: Star Publicly Trashes Brand
controversy
Sony Hack Reveals Confidential Marketing
Major studios are tight-lipped about their marketing, but leaks from the hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment corporate computers provide some insights. For the Tom Hanks drama “Captain Philips,” a PowerPoint slide from Sony Pictures tells staff to stress action to male audiences, emphasize emotional depth to females and steer away from American nationalistic themes, says an … [Read more...] about Sony Hack Reveals Confidential Marketing
Tracking Data Crisis Intensifies
Audience tracking surveys are increasingly failing to predict box office, notes Deadline.com’s Anita Busch, who catalogs a succession of recent wrong calls. For example, tracking surveys predicted roughly $20 million in domestic box office for the three-day premiere weekend for The Weinstein Co.’s young-adult “The Giver,” which ended up with just $12.3 million. That’s a … [Read more...] about Tracking Data Crisis Intensifies
Huckster Antics Dull Stars
It's unimaginable that Jimmy Stewart, Kirk Douglas or John Wayne would have endorsed a perfume at the height of their careers. But it's a new era where movie stars routinely are pitchmen/women for wrist watches (Leonardo DiCaprio for the Tag Heuer brand), cars (Laurence Fishburne for Kia) and fashion (Nicole Kidman for designer Jimmy Choo). And don't forget the stinky … [Read more...] about Huckster Antics Dull Stars
Product Placement Beef for ‘Transformers’ in China
A hotel chain in China is suing two product placement brokers claiming foul over a deal with Paramount Pictures release “Transformers: Age of Extinction.” The sci-fi movie will premiere China and in the U.S./Canada June 27. The big-budget fourth installment of the “Transformers” series is rated PG-13 in the U.S. Beijing Pangu Investment Co., which owns a dragon-shaped … [Read more...] about Product Placement Beef for ‘Transformers’ in China
Captain America Stalks Superman in 2016
Walt Disney Studios penciled in “Captain American 3” on May 6, 2016, setting up a faceoff with an untitled Superman-and-Batman movie already scheduled on that date by Warner Bros. “A lot can happen with jockeying dates,” writes Deadline.com, “especially this far out on the schedule. But it does seem as though Disney/Marvel is drawing a line in the sand against its DC Comics … [Read more...] about Captain America Stalks Superman in 2016
Penalties Tag ‘Olympus Fallen’ Ads
The Federal Communications Commission proposed $2 million in penalty fines connected with TV commercials for the movie “Olympus Has Fallen” because of use of the distinctive emergency alert system audio tones. FilmDistrict released the R-rated thriller a year ago and the $70 million production grossed $99 million domestically. Says an Adweek story by Katy Bachman: “Blatantly … [Read more...] about Penalties Tag ‘Olympus Fallen’ Ads
‘Noah’ Endures Extensive Research Screenings
Paramount Pictures “made and (audience) tested as many as half-a-dozen of its own” edited versions of the Biblical drama “Noah,” starring Russell Crowe, according to a lengthy article in the Hollywood Reporter. The retelling of the Noah’s Ark story of global flooding, which was produced for $125 million with New Regency Productions, is scheduled to premiere March … [Read more...] about ‘Noah’ Endures Extensive Research Screenings
Weinstein Aims ‘Philomena’ Beef At Critic
The Weinstein Co. bashes in a “New York Times” advertisement a professional film critic who pans its drama film “Philomena,” which triggered a battle in the press. Film distributor TWC urges readers to see the movie to “Decide For Yourself.” In a lengthy opinion article today, New York Post critic Kyle Smith defends his review. “I found the film lazy, contrived, with a … [Read more...] about Weinstein Aims ‘Philomena’ Beef At Critic
Critic: Political Correctness Topples Movies
While Hollywood frets that an unprecedented number of big budget films have flopped this year, an opinion article in the New York Post by Kyle Smith purports to answer why: two of the big disappointments so far injected Hollywood’s “political correctness.” The big-budget flops are Walt Disney Studios’ “The Lone Ranger” ($250 million production cost) and Sony Pictures’ “White … [Read more...] about Critic: Political Correctness Topples Movies